Petrofac is to export from the West Don and Don Southwest fields, utilising a pipeline oil export service, via the Don Southwest production well DR2z in the UK, following the recent drilling of a sidetrack well.
The firm originally delivered oil export via shuttle tankers loading from a single anchor leg (SAL) mooring system, which was susceptible to interruption from severe weather.
However, export has now switched to a permanent pipeline export route via Lundin’s Thistle platform. The new system is expected to reduce interruption and improve production stability and export operations.
Modification on the Thistle platform began in late 2008, which included the installation of a new flexible riser hang off platform. The final tie-ins and pipeline commissioning operations were completed by the end of February 2010.
Petrofac has also announced that the second of the Don Southwest productions well came on stream yesterday, shortly after the permanent export route became available.
